BMW has unveiled armoured versions of the latest 7 Series and fully electric i7, providing customised firearms and explosives protection for at-risk individuals.

The BMW i7 Protection

They’re based on the seventh generation of the luxury saloon, which launched last year and was followed at the start 2023 with the electric versions. This is now the basis for the i7 Protection, billed as the world’s first-ever protection saloon with an all-electric drive system.

It’s joined by the petrol-engined 7 Series Protection and both have been classified as offering class VR9 protection, meeting latest guidelines for bullet-resistant vehicles with regard to ballistic resistance and the guidelines for explosive-resistant vehicles with blast resistance. Meanwhile, the glass for both models meets the criteria for VPAM 10 classification while the armoured body of the 7 Series Protection can be upgraded to offer VPAM 10 protection as an option.

The i7 Protection features a dual-motor electric powertrain, giving all-wheel drive and outputting 544hp with 745Nm of torque. It’s able to sprint to 100km/h in 9.0 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 160km/h. It has a provisional electric power consumption figure for the German market in the WLTP cycle of 30.0 kWh/100km.

The petrol-engined 7 Series Protection features a 4.4-litre V8 with maximum output of 530hp and peak torque of 750Nm. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds and has a top speed of 210km. It delivers a combined WLTP fuel economy figure of 13l/100km and CO2 emissions of 355g/km; again, provisional figures for the German market.

The design of both models is based around a new integrated protection concept that was factored into the development of the new 7 Series range. Using the new BMW Protection Core, the entire supporting structure for the armoured saloon’s body is constructed from armour steel for the first time. This forms a self-supporting protective cell, which is combined with protection-spec doors, armouring for the underbody and roof, and safety glass.

Both models are designed to offer maximum protection against explosives in particular thanks to the special armouring for the roof and underbody. They’re also designed to protect occupants from drone attacks with explosive charges and from fragments dispersed by hand grenades on detonation. The 7 Series Protection also comes with a self-sealing fuel tank as standard while the duo also come with 20-inch wheels featuring specially developed PAX tyres with a runflat ring that allows the car to continue running at up to 50mph, even in the event of a total loss of pressure.

Despite all this, the armoured models are designed to look like a regular 7 Series saloon M Sport while onboard room and seating comfort also replicate a conventional 7 Series saloon and the chassis has been modified to allow for the extra weight.

They’re also said to be the first and only protection vehicles in their segments to come with Integral Active Steering rear-wheel steering functionality.

Equipment includes the latest-generation BMW iDrive with curved display and a standard-fit intercom system.

Options provide custom-spec protection for various attack scenarios and include a fresh-air supply system, a fire extinguishing system, flashing lights and radio transceivers.

Both models will be built at the BMW Group’s plant at Dingolfing in Germany and make their public debut at this September’s IAA Mobility motor show in Munich. Deliveries start in December 2023.